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In many American cities, Monday marks Indigenous People's Day — a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, a chance to celebrate and honor the distinctive cultures and histories of hundreds of Native American tribes across the country.

The holiday comes a day after Washington's NFL team took the field with its controversial nickname spattered on its gameday swag — an honor, defenders and owner Dan Snyder will say, that covers some all-encompassing "Native American culture," that cannot be removed because traditional racism is immutable. Which is, of course, bollocks.

And the holiday comes a day after a landmark moment in California, where Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will eradicate the R-word nickname from public schools' sports teams.

The chorus of echoes that cries out in defense of Washington's nickname often brings a familiar counterpoint: This debate is the product of political correctness run amok, of a society afraid to offend, of wussified propagators of white person persecution. If we let this name and tradition exist for decades untouched, why target it now?

That argument, of course, ignores decades of protests and movements against Native American nicknames and mascots in sports. For 45 years, major sports teams and universities have changed their "traditional" imagery and namesakes — offering an olive branch to indigenous peoples who felt mocked, caricatured, misrepresented.

And that undercurrent of discontent did not suddenly arrive in D.C.

Minnesota — often ground zero for protests against using Native American iconography in sports — hosted Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, a game between Buffalo and Washington. With Washington in the game, the National Summit on Racism in Sports and the Media group protested in Minneapolis; the New York Times coined it “ The Protest That Won’t Go Away. ”

A prescient title. That same year, in a story that should sound familiar , seven native Americans filed a lawsuit against Washington, petitioning the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel federal registrations for “Redskins” and “Redskinettes.” It would take seven years for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to rule the word disparaging before an appeals process put the case into court limbo for years.

But before and after that case, the issue of using indigenous peoples as sports props has impacted colleges and pro teams, big and small. What follows is a photo-timeline of that progress; from Oklahoma University circa 1970 to Fargo, North Dakota today, more than 40 sports teams have taken a step forward, some more willingly than others.

The list is not all-inclusive. Other small colleges have followed suit. And it ignores the hundreds of high schools that have progressed past the idea of Native American as novel mascot figure. From the early trio of prep teams (Napersville Central of Ill., Grand Forks Central of N.D., and Arvada of Colo.) that dropped the R-word in the early 90s to the most recent agents of change in Goshen, Ind. , many high schools have done what Washington won't:

They stopped neglecting to move forward for the sake of looking back.

Here are more than 40 teams who did the same.

A huge tip of the hat to databases from ChangeTheMascot.org and the Annual Mascot Issue , as well as several school newspapers and secondary sources that chronicled the more than four-decade-long pursuit of viewing indigenous people and their descendents as more than mascots.

University of Oklahoma, 1970

The Sooners retired their “Little Red” mascot — a tradition that had endured since the 1940s — in 1970. One of the agents of change: a student activist by the name of Jacob Tsotigh. “We’ve been so browbeaten by white people throughout history that we don’t realize when we’re being mocked and debased,” he wrote in a letter to the editor, according to NewsOK. The decision by Oklahoma president J. Herbert Hollomon was the first domino to fall.

Cleveland Indians, 1970

The first recorded protests of the Chief Wahoo mascot occurred in 1970, led by the American Indian Movement. Years of protests have followed, and the Indians in 2018 finally decided to remove the mascot logo from their uniforms, beginning in 2019.

Marquette University, 1971, 1987 and 1993

Marquette, then the Warriors, rid themselves of mascot “Willie Wampum,” a particularly egregious caricature that had been roaming sidelines for 10 years.

Having foregone Willie Wampum, Marquette made amends by having their mascot portrayed by actual Native American students. But when those students no longer wanted to participate and felt less respected, more spectacle, that practice, too, was dropped in 1987.

Having deemed two Native American-inspired mascots offensive in a span of two decades, Marquette dropped the Warriors nickname altogether in 1993, eventually becoming the Golden Eagles. This came the same year as a resolution issued by the National Congress of American Indians that denounced “any American Indian name or artifice” being connected to sport.

Stanford University, 1972

A petition sent from Native American students to Stanford ombudsman Lois Amsterdam led to the eradication of the “Indians” nickname — a culmination of a long-fought battle from students of American Indian descent.

Dickinson State, 1972

Dartmouth College, 1974

The Ivy League university illustrated its wisdom, going from an “Indians” mascot to the “Big Green” moniker in ’74. David Bonga — who would eventually become the first Native American alumnus to direct Dartmouth’s Native American program — helped spearhead the change. Before that, he said, “I felt the campus atmosphere throughout my freshman year depicted an aloofness … toward most issues of interest to Native students.”

Syracuse University, 1979

The Orangemen retired the “Saltine Warrior” mascot in 1979. One of the Native students calling for change — Doug George-Kanentiio — reflected on the era for Syracuse.com, and remembered asking the question, “Why would a university, a place of learning, elect to use such a racist image?”

Southern Oregon University, 1980

Siena College, 1988

Siena dropped their “Indians” nickname, initially deciding to go without a moniker before they eventually settled on Saints. The move meant retiring their Native American mascot for, of all things, a leprechaun, and renaming the “Tee Pee Rowdies” fan section.

University of Illinois, 1989, 1998 and 2007

Before she became a renowned Native American artist, Charlene Teters was a graduate student at Illinois. In 1989, her efforts to condemn the school’s “Chief Illiniwek” mascot garnered national attention.

Nine years later, upwards of 200 activists descended upon Illinois for a national conference on the topic of eliminating Native American-themed mascots. And once again, the topic of Chief Illiniwek became a source of contention. Wrote Ross Siler in the Daily Northwestern Online: “The protest movement has gained campus-wide attention and commentary from numerous Native American groups across the country.”

Nine more years passed.

The Illini did not have to change their nickname under new NCAA guidelines regarding use of Native American iconography, but the oft-debated, historically controversial Chief Illiniwek mascot finally took his final bow on Feb. 21, 2007.

The retirement came in accordance with the NCAA, which otherwise would not allow Illinois to host postseason, NCAA-sanctioned events — a lynchpin that for some reason spoke more volumes than the protests and requests of Native students over a period of decades.

“This will be a time when we finally honor the people who have been fighting the issue, who have been saying all along to retire the chief in name, in symbol, in performance,” Charlotte Wilkenson — a grad student and Native American — told the Chicago Tribune at the time.

The topic still commands contention at Illinois, but as recently as 2013, Chancellor Phyllis Wise doubled down, saying Illiniwek will not return to the sidelines.

Eastern Michigan University, 1991

Before changing their name to the Eagles in ’91, Eastern Michigan had been known as the “Huron.” The move, according to university archives, came as a response to suggestions from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights in 1988, which called for schools to change their Native American-derived mascots.

St. John's University, 1991-1994

Then the “Redmen,” St. John’s first did away with its mascot in 1991 before eventually changing their name to “Red Storm” in 1994. “You can’t keep a nickname that increasingly more and more newspapers and radio stations won’t allow because it’s seen as offensive,” St. John’s president Rev. Donald Harrington told the student newspaper at the time (via NY Post). “In a lot of ways, the decision was made for us.”

Simpson College, 1992

The United Methodist Church-affiliated school switched its nickname to “Storm” after having been the “Redmen” and “Lady Reds” for some time. When echoes of restoring the nickname hit Simpson in 2005, decision-makers offered to the campus newspaper this counterpoint: “letters from Native Americans saying, ‘Thank God you guys did this, that you had the guts to do this.”

Miami University (OH), 1996

In ’96, the Miami of the Midwest rid itself of the “R-word” nickname, switching to Red Hawks. Miami was named after a tribe of the same name, but the nickname, many contended, didn’t belong. Among those in contention, according to the Chicago Tribune: members of the Miami tribe itself.

Triple-A Syracuse, 1996

Then a Blue Jays affiliate, Triple-A Syracuse dropped the “Chiefs” moniker they’d espoused since 1934 in an effort to distance themselves from charges of disparagement. The replacement nickname, “Skychiefs,” was weird. In 2006, the “Chiefs” moniker returned, but with an updated imagery — the team now wanted to honor the train industry.

"The reason we changed the name in the first place was because political correctness came about," Syracuse general manager John Simone told MLB.com at the time. "But all along we knew the fans didn't want to let go of the Chiefs. Now, we're bridging the gap by bringing back the name, but placing it in an entirely different context."

Southern Nazarene University, 1998

The Bethany, Okla.-based Christian school dropped the 50-year-old “R-word” nickname, going with “Crimson Storm” instead, and bringing the "Native American iconography in sports" debate back to its first battleground.

An Oklahoman headline called the name change “an insult.” And athletic director Bobby Martin seemed to echo that sentiment. But a General Conference of the United Methodist Church had decried the use of Native American nicknames — and one professor, Jim Wilcox, seemed to agree with connecting Christian kindness to the change.

"I consider it a racial slur," Wilcox told the Oklahoman at the time. "It is in the same ballpark as what we consider to be more derogatory terms. My belief is that if we're a Christian institution, then we should be most careful of all in the way we treat our brothers."

Morningside College, 1998

The Sioux City, Iowa school went from “Maroon Chiefs” to “Mustangs” in 1998. And according to a book by Bruce Stapleton, the athletic department took a donation hit — but telethon fundraising remained steady for the school as a hole.

NCAA, 1998

In September of 1998, the NCAA sent its first message regarding the eventual eradication of racially insensitive mascots and iconography. Charles Whitcomb, writing on behalf of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, didn’t mince words:

“The committee was established to enhance the NCAA commitment to foster racial equality and diversity in collegiate athletics. Thus, we strongly support the elimination of Indian names and mascots as symbols for our member institutions' sports teams. We also support the elimination of Native American rituals for entertainment purposes.

“Member institutions with Indian mascots that promote Indian caricatures and mimic ceremonial rites do not comply with the NCAA's commitment to ethnic student welfare. The use of these symbols and mascots is not respectful to Native American culture and is considered by that culture to be sacrilegious. No other race of people in America is used for mascots or nicknames for sports teams.”

Cumberland College, 2001

The small Kentucky school switched its nickname from “Indians” to “Patriots” in 2001 after years of discussion on the issue. Cumberland, located in Williamsburg, Ky., once cited its towns’ former status as a “living, hunting and burial ground” for Cherokees as reason for the old nickname.

But the university changed its tune at the turn of the century, and chose to ‘honor’ a heritage more consistent with the campus architecture and history.

"The Cumberland College Board of Trustees has voted to change our mascot from ‘Indians’ to the ‘Patriots’ which is more in keeping with our college's architecture and our city and the name Williamsburg,” college president Dr. Jim Taylor said in a news release. “After all, our architecture is in keeping with Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. We can do so much more as ‘Patriots’ in image enhancement and in exposure of the college.”

Colgate University, 2001

Colgate was a case of original intentions perverted, and lingering scars from the past. In August of 2001, the school dropped “Red” from its “Red Raiders” nickname. The name, which originally referred to the maroon jerseys of the football team, took on new meaning when Colgate employed Native American mascots and iconography for its sports teams.

Years after the school dropped the Native American imagery sometime in the 70s, wounds remained. The word “red” now had ugly, racial connotations. So the school rid themselves of it. In a release, the university explained the three-letter change would help the school “to move away from the racial stereotype, which is indeed not the true origin of the nickname for Colgate but may nonetheless be offensive to the general public in ways that undermine the institution’s values and commitments.”

Quinnipiac University, 2001

Now the Bobcats, Quinnipiac discontinued its “Braves” nickname in December of 2001. The move came on the recommendation of then-President John Lahey after several on-campus discussions. The school, named for a tribe, recognized that intentions do not always match the reality of mascots.

“Although fond of the tradition we’ve had for 50 years, the university community clearly recognized the difficulties of using a name that has the potential to misrepresent and denigrate an entire group of people,” Quinnipiac vice president for public affairs Lynn Bushnell said at the time, according to USCHO. “And, despite our clear intention to honor and remember the Native Americans once known as the Quinnipiaks, to do so only through athletics was found to be no longer appropriate.”

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 2002

The Division III school’s sports teams, before becoming the “Mohawk” in the 1960s, had in previous years been called the Gremlins and Professors. Having already strayed from the strange to cultural reappropriation, the school made another shift in 2002, becoming the “Trail Blazers” after a subcommittee on their athletic advisory council recommended a move away from Native American mascots and iconography.

Martin Methodist College (TN), 2002

The Pulaski, Tenn., college changed its athletic nickname from “Indians” to “Redhawks,” following the continued lead of the United Methodist Church. The move would later provide fuel for the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs’ resolution to eliminate all Native American mascots in the state.

Single-A Peoria, 2003

The Chiefs — a minor league affiliate of the Cardinals — changed its logo in 2003, abandoning a baseball wearing a Native American headdress for a Dalmatian dog, depicted as a fire chief. The move coincided with a transition into the Cubs farm system; but thankfully, when the Chiefs returned to the Cardinals organization, the headdress didn't make a comeback.

Alcorn State University, 2005

Alcorn State was one of the 18 colleges or universities cited in the NCAA’s 2005 policy that established guidelines for use of Native American nicknames and mascots deemed “hostile and abusive.”

Ultimately, the school would maintain its “Braves” nickname, but disbanded the use of its mascot. The new mascot, a “bravehawk,” didn’t appear until 2011. Florida State (Seminoles), Utah (Utes), Catawba College (Indians), Mississippi College (Choctaws) and Central Michigan (Chippewas) would all maintain their nicknames due to receiving support from their local or namesake tribes.

Bradley University, 2005

In a similar vein to Alcorn State, Bradley maintained its “Braves” nickname under the condition that Native American imagery or mascots would not find their way back into the school’s sports tradition. The old, racist logo hasn't resurfaced. In fact, their mascot has nothing to do with their nickname; he’s a frightening gargoyle, modeled after a defining architectural characteristic on campus.

Carthage College, 2005

Also named in the NCAA policy, the “Redmen” of Carthage College made simple changes to meet the demands. They added a space in their nickname, becoming the Red Men, and retired the feather-adorned Native American in their logo. They now represent themselves with a red torch, their mascot a man named Torchie with flames atop his head.

Midwestern State University, 2005

Another school with its hand forced by the NCAA, Midwestern State made their move swiftly. Less than three months after the NCAA announced its policy publicly, Midwestern State transitioned from an “Indians” nickname to the “Mustangs.”

McMurry University, 2006

McMurry appealed the NCAA’s request for the Texas school to abandon its Indian mascot; the NCAA didn’t budge. As a result, McMurry decided to forego a sports nickname altogether, holding tight to “history.”

"Going to a mascot that has four legs and fur just didn't fit who we are,” said McMurry president John Russell, according to the Associated Press. “To take another mascot would be to turn our back on our 83-year history. We know who we are."

The school still had to replace uniforms and scrub Native American imagery and insignias from its sports facilities and merchandise. Eventually, the school changed its nicknameless stance; they are now the War Hawks.

University of Louisiana-Monroe, 2006

Another school admonished by the NCAA, Louisiana-Monroe removed its “Indians” nickname, replacing it with “Warhawks” in 2006 — an homage to a World War II warplane captained by General Claire Chennault.

It was a big change for a campus that had long been referred to as “The Reservation,” for an athletic department that had a mascot named “Chief Brave Spirit” roaming the sidelines.

In a bit of a Freudian slip that often accompanies these stories, university president James Cofer offered consolation to his campus upon the mascot’s removal, and said in as many words that the man behind the mascot never much mattered.

"It is with sadness that we will say goodbye to the Indian mascot," he said in a letter for ULM alumni and supporters. "But let us also remember that it is the great university represented by the mascot we feel strongly about, not the mascot itself."

Southeastern Oklahoma State, 2006

SE Oklahoma State had one of the most egregious nicknames cited on the NCAA resolution, having coupled a “Savages” moniker with Native American imagery.

In compliance with the NCAA, the school made a strange transition in 2006, officially changing their name to — this isn’t a joke — the “Savage Storm.” With Native American imagery removed, the school spent several years without a mascot. In 2013, they unveiled Bolt, a bison with shocking stage presence.

West Georgia University, 2006

In compliance with NCAA recommendations, West Georgia became the “Wolves” in Jan. 2006, dropping the “Braves” nickname. The school — and mascot Wolfie — found the name gained traction and popularity with time.

“There are some people who still hold the Braves close at heart and we recognize that and certainly know the nickname Braves has been in our heritage and tradition,” West Georgia athletic director Daryl Dickey told Inside Higher Ed in 2013. “But the university made the decision some time ago to change because of the ethnicity concerns and we've moved on."

Newberry College (S.C.), 2006

After losing its appeal to the NCAA, Newberry reached a tentative agreement with the governing body in 2006. In order to host an NCAA Division II football playoff game, the school agreed to retire the “Indians” nickname and all imagery by fall 2008.

The eradication happened. But the new name — Wolves — wouldn’t come until two more academic years passed without a nickname at Newberry.

Initially, Newberry president Mitchel Zais called the NCAA demands “unjust, coercive and perhaps illegal,” according to USA Today. At the time, sophomore Derek Bley offered a melodramatic quote to USA Today: “Quite a tragedy. Here we are in the middle of nowhere, and we have no name.”

But cited in the same story was a quote from Morning Star Institute president Suzan Shown Harjo, a quote that seemed to more poignantly address the isolation caused by Native American mascots.

“This was a time when federal regulations outlawed Indian dancing and religious ceremonies," she told USA Today. "They criminalized traditional Indian behaviors and values. We were seen as a vanquished and vanishing culture. Real Indians could not dance, but fake Indians — mascots — could, in their cartoon way."

Chowan College (N.C.), 2006

Another domino that fell from the NCAA decision, the small Baptist school in North Carolina decided not to fight for its “Braves” nickname.

“The college has agreed not to fight the NCAA ruling for several reasons: money, time, the college’s transition to Division II, and a battle that could not be won,” Chowan President M. Christopher White told the Baptist Press at the time. The school later became the Hawks, acknowledging the switch in a strange, symbolic ceremony.

Indiana University-Pennsylvania, 2007

Aside from the satellite school’s geographically confusing moniker, IUP had been named in the NCAA policy change due to their “Indians” nickname. It would take them two years to choose a new namesake; they adopted the “Crimson Hawks” nickname in April of 2007.

Arkansas State, 2008

Three years after appearing on the NCAA’s list of undesirable Native American nicknames in college sports, Arkansas State made the shift from “Indians” to “Red Wolves.”

The school officially retired its traditional mascot trio — the “Indian family” — on Feb. 28 during that basketball season in an emotional ceremony seemingly devoid of any actual Native Americans. Ironically, or perhaps purposefully, they were facing Louisiana-Monroe.

University of North Dakota, 2012

A long, contentious battle that began with the NCAA’s resolution in 2006 spilled into 2012 in Fargo, N.D., when the “Fighting Sioux” name was, at last, officially dropped.

A vote by state residents — the greatest voter turnout for a primary in 50 years, according to WBRZ — returned a two-thirds vote in favor of dumping the name. This after the nickname had been retired, then unretired, twice due to split feelings among not only citizens, but different factions of local Sioux tribes.

As of June, the school had narrowed its list of potential new nicknames to seven. The Grand Forks Herald reported that Fighting Hawks, Green Hawks, Nodaks, North Stars, Roughriders and Sundogs remained possibilities.

UPDATE: On Nov. 18, North Dakota announced the new moniker: "Fighting Hawks."